In support of tourist this was a controlled ditching in a sea state 1 day VMC in the Gulf...Blue forecasting Blue....hardly taxing. The aircraft came to the hover whilst the crew abandoned the aircraft then the pilot ditched it....
The aircrew were then rescued from the sea from a boat which was from a merchant ship.
So, no QGM here Im afraid.

I just happen to believe that this kind of overblown, and dare I say it American, thing devalues the truly praisworthy moments in life. Reminds me of national outpourings of grief at Diana etc. Makes me want to vomit.

Mmmm. All the same, a rather nervous moment for any pilot I'd have thought, and especially if you've had to build up to it over a few minutes. So respect for getting away with it under any circumstances.

:ok:

Hours of routine followed by moments of sheer terror
 

In this case, where one's peers understand the implications of a controlled descent to the Og', a conscious decision to dunk it, and they then elect to offer "well done's" to the crew and thanks to the Almighty for a safe outcome, they are often received with the usual slightly embarrassed "it was nothing and the drills worked".

However, this does not undervalue the effort, skill and good fortune necessary to pull it off.

Would'nt want to spend anytime swimming deep water in that area, it is quite notorious for the larger variety of "Hungry Johnny".

A great team effort by all concerned, well done. :ok:

Exactly. If there is be any praise for this unfortunate incident it should be to the pilot who carried out a text book controlled ditching.

Praise Fatigue
 

What’s wrong with praising professionalism and giving a written and public pat on the back when it’s earned? God knows the forces need a pick up now and again and if it comes within the flying community – so be it.

There is no such thing as praise fatigue so well done both crews. Much nicer to read a success story than a disaster!

So why exactly did it ditch in the shark infested waters off Oman?

Agree completely with Tourist. Let us not be like Americans! The 71 cab did its job, crew back in their own bar, A25 being drafted (boys, make sure you get your story straight!), end of dit.

Believe there may be a whiff of something about this episode - and probably not one of AVCAT. Hope this rumour net lives up to its reputation. Never let the truth get in the way of a great story. There but for the grace of God....

Exactly - text book ditching, hats off, well done 71 etc etc.....

But why the need for a text book ditching??

Rumours abound, and thats why we're here isn't it, so lets have it, why leave your Mk8 in that particular spot?

:confused: :confused: :confused:

Not sure the RN can aford to ditch Mk8 Lynxs or any aircraft at the moment. How many are there in the shed?

Why did they not make it back to the ship - no rumour on any aircraft snag - enough gas? Won't be the first or last time that ship and aircraft are not at the same point on the globe at sortie end! Would be interesting to know how close the nearest warship was to the datum. Also how long the crew had to wait for rescue.

Why did they ditch the aircraft next to a merchant ship?

why didn't they think they could get back to the ship?

Hope they weren't carrying mail at the time!! Else they'd get a kicking from the lads on Nottingham... and yes its happened before:p

Read the first signal about it

ran out of fuel...............oops

wrong pigeons from a Mk7 (shouldn't the crew have had a better handle on it themselves?)

lets not blow sunshine up 771's proverbial, they winched the crew from a merchant ship.. any self respecting naval crew could have done that.

mind you there but for the grace of god... etc

maybe the ship wasn't where is thought it was...maybe the ships computer system was telling lies...Maybe the T42 had its normal Nav slippage.....Now, thats never done that b4 has it !!!!!!!

Yes they should, but aren't we led to understand that the ASAC is the best thing in Naval Aviation at present? Surely they couldn't have messed up?? Ah I know, its optimised for tracking tanks in the desert not airborne contacts...........:E

I used to fly the Lynx (now got a bigger one) but in defence of the Bagmen...its not their job to do the fuel checks of another aircraft.

Who does the fuel checks in your aircraft?

If you run out of fuel , you can look and point but at the end of the day there is only one person you should look at

Totally agree about fuel checks, and know exactly what that sinking feeling is like when you arrive where Mum is........and she isn't. If they did run out of fuel, its them that carry the can, just trying to bring the bags in on the fun

Everyone who doesn't fancy a swim.:ok:

Top tip. Don't trust someone NOT strapped into YOUR aircraft to keep a handle on range/bearing to mother. Let others back you up but always keep something in the tank for the wife and kids let alone your OJAR and aviation career. Also, especially in silent or emcon restricted operations, a margin of go-juice is worth holding back in case the ship isn't at the planned rv.

Final (food for) thought. Currency. How many hours are crews getting right now? Even if hours on deployment are better than ashore I bet they are down from the rates considered prudent in the 60s, 70s, 80s and even 90s. If it was a slip up under emcon silence, how much silent work really goes on these days compared with Cold War ops.

Lets all stop speculating and wait for the result of the BOI.

Glad to hear the crew are ok and the SAR boys managed to get to them and do their bit!!

The SAR boys didn't get to them and do there bit....they were rescued by a ships boat from a ship